The Application of Vertical Electrical Sounding for the Geophysical and Hydrogeological Investigation in University of Benin Area, Nigeria
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The occurrence and distribution of groundwater in a sedimentary basin are localized and confined to the weathered sandy layer/zone. The study was carried out with the aim of demonstrating the vertical electrical sounding method of investigation in the exploration of groundwater at the University of Benin, around VC’s lodge. A total of six VES points were probed using the ABEM SAS 300C terrameter which was used to generate field data applying the Schlumberger Array with AB/2 of 1.5 m, 215 m. The results were simulated using IPI2WIN software. The results show an average of four geo-electric layers per VES point; superficial layer, duricrust, clay layer, alluvium, sand layer and the weathered sandy layer. For VES 1-6, the thicknesses of the water table are 11.6 m. 16.6 m, 22.5m, 30.5 m 51.4 m and 27.8 m respectively and the depth to the water table is 124.4 m, 124.6 m, 78.4m, 55.2 m, 38.5 m, and 29.4 m accordingly. Going by the results, VES 1 & 5 ranked the highest water prospect due to the thickness of the water table layer, the depth to the water table and most importantly the weathered/fractured layers with resistivity as high as 15,188 Ω and 76,432 Ω for VES 1 & 5 respectively, which also increases the permeability and storage of the groundwater. VES 2, 3, 4, and 6 are also wet reservoirs but for their shallow thicknesses and depth to the water table which will influence the purity of the water. However, further investigation is needed to ascertain the suitability of the water as portable drinking water by examining the physicochemical and hydrogeological characteristics of the existing Boreholes drilled in the vicinity of the study area. The findings of this study are a reminder of the essence of a geophysical survey prior to drilling exercises and the suitability of electrical resistivity as a tool for aquifer delineation.
Downloads
Article Details
Authors hold the copyright of all published articles except otherwise stated.
References
Divergent/passive margin basins: AAPG Memoir 48, p. 239-248.
Doust, H., 1989, Abdel-Azim, M.E, Mahmoud, M.S. and Kamal, A.D. (1996). Geoelectrical and Hydrogeochemical studies for delineating Groundwater contamination due to Salt-water Intrusion in the Northern part of the Nile Delta, Egypt. Groundwater. 35(2): 218.
Abdulahi M.G., Toriman M.E., Gasim M.B. (2014). The Application of Vertical Electrical Sounding for Ground water Exploration in Tudun Wada kano State, Nigeria. International Journal of Engineering Research and Reviews, 2(4): 51-55
Ako, B. D. and Olorunfemi, M. O. (1989). Geoelectric Survey for Groundwater in the Newer Bassalts of Vom, Plateau State. Journal of Mining and Geology 25, pp.247-250.
Al-Garni, M. A. (2009). Geophysical Investigations for Groundwater in a Complex Subsurface Terrain, Wadi Fatima,
Alisiobi, A. R. and Ako, B. D. (2012). Groundwater Investigation Using Combined Geophysical Methods. Search and Discovery Article No. 40914, AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Long Beach, California.
Allen, J.R.L., 1965, Late Quaternary Niger Delta, and adjacent areas-sedimentary environments and lithofacies: AAPG Bulletin, 49: 547-600.
Anakwuba, E.K., Nwokeabia, C.N., Chinwuko, A.I., and Onyekwelu, C.U. (2014). Hydrogeophysical assessment of some parts of Anambra basin, Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Geosciences, 2(2): 72-81.
Anizoba, D. C. Chukwuma, G. O., Chukwuma, E. C., & Chinwuko, E. C. (2015). Determination of Aquifer Characteristics from Geo-electrical Sounding data in parts of Anambra State, Nigeria. Inter-national Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 11(4): 832-843.
Anudu, G.K., Onwuemesi, A.G., Ajaegwu, N.E., Onuba, L.N., and Omali, A.O. (2008). Electrical resistivity investigation for ground-water in the basement complex terrain: a case study of idi-ayunre and its environs, oyo state, southwestern Nigeria. Natural and Applied Sciences Journal, 9(2): 1-11.
Ariyo, S.O and Banjo, A.A (2008) Application of Electrical Resistivity Method for Groundwater Exploration in a Sedimentary Terrain: A case study of Ilara-Remo Southwestern Nigeria.
Burke, K., 1972, Longshore drift, submarine canyons and submarine fans in development of Niger delta: AAPG Bulletin, v. 56:1975-1983.
Dan-Hassan, M. A. and Olorunfemi, M.O. (1999). Hydro-geophysical Investigation of a Basement Terrain in the North-Central part of Kaduna state, Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology 35(2): 189-206.
Daramola, S.O. (2006). Research and statistical methods in education for students and researchers in tertiary institutions. Bamitex Printing and Publishing, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Doust, H. and Omatsola E., 1989. Niger delta: AAPG Memoir 48 p. 201-238.
Doust, H., and Omatsola E., 1990, Niger delta: in J. D. Edwards and P.A. Santogrossi, eds., The Niger delta: Hydrocarbon potential of a major Tertiary delta province, in coastal lowlands, geology and geo-technology in Proceedings of the Kon. Nederl. Geol. Mijnb. Genootschap, p. 203-212.
Emmanuel O. Joshua, Olayinka O. Odeyemi and Oladotun O. Fawehinmi (2011). Geoelectric investigation of the groundwater potential of Moniya Area, Ibadan. Journal of Geology and Mining Research Vol. 3(3), pp. 54-62, Available online http://www.academicjournals.org/jgmr ISSN 2006 -9766 ©2011 Academic Journals
Evamy B.D., J. Haremboure, R. Kammerling, W.A. Knaap, F.A. Molloy, and P.H. Rowlands,1978. Hydrocarbon habitat of tertiary Niger Delta: AAPG Bulletin, 62:1-39.
Fadele S.I., Sule P.O. and Dewu B.B.M., (2013). The use of Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) for Groundwater Exploration around Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Pacific Journal of Science and Technology. 14(1): 549-555.
Garba, A. A. (2011). Geology, Geochemistry and Rare-Metal Bearing Potentials of Pegmatite of Gbugbu, Lema and Bishewa Areas of North Central Nigeria. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis. University of Ilorin, Nigeria. 207 pp
Hamil, L. and Bell, O. (1986). Groundwater Resources Development. Britain Library Cataloguing in Publication Data London, pp. 151-158
Hardianshah Saleh and Abdul Rahim Samsudin, (2013). Application of Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) in Subsurface Geological Investigation for Potential Aquifer in Lahad Datu, Sabah. Journal of AIP Conference Proceedings, 1571(1): 432-437.
Kasidi S. and Victor V. (2019). Groundwater Exploration using Vertical Electrical Sounding method in Musawa and Environs of Katsina State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Geology and Geophysics. 7(6): 73-83
Kazeem, A. S. (2007). Lithostratigraphy of Nigeria. An Overview. Workshop on Geothermal Reservation Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California. (32): 1-4.
Marrison and Gasperikova (2012) D.C Resistivity and IP field systems, data processing and interpretation.
Mayange B. Claver N., Kubaya K. and Lama S. (2018). The Application of Vertical Electrical Sounding for the Hydrogeological and Geophysical Investigation in Kibuma, DR Congo. International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 24(1): 9-16 Nwangwu, U.,1990, A unique, hydrocarbon trapping mechanism in the offshore Niger Delta, in Oti, M.N., and G. Postma, eds., Geology of Deltas: Rotterdam, A. A. Balkema, pp. 269-278.
Obaje, N. G., Moumouni A, Goki N.G., and Chaanda M. S., (2011). Stratigraphy, Paleogeography and Hydrocarbon Resource Potentials of the Bida Basin in North-Central Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology 47(2): 97–114.
Olayinka, A. I. and Olorunfemi, M. O. (1992). Determination of Geoelectrical Characteristics in Okene Area and Implication for Boreholes Siting. Journal of Mining and Geology (28): 403- 412.
Olayinka, A. I.; E. J. Akpan and O. A. Magbagbeola, (1997). Geoelectric Sounding for Estimating Aquifer Potential in the Crystalline Basement Area around Shaki, South-Western Nigeria. Water Resources- Journal of Nigerian Association of Hydrogeologits 8(2): 71-81.
Olorunfemi, M. O. and Fasuyi, S. A. (1993). Aquifer Types and the Geoelectric/ Hydrogeologic Characteristics of Part of the Central Basement Terrain of Nigeria (Niger State). Journal of African Earth Sciences (16): 309-317.
Omosuyi, G. O.; J. S. Ojo and M. O. Olorunfemi (2008). Geoelectric Sounding to Delineate Shallow Aquifer in the Coastal Plain Sands of Okitipupa Area, South Western Nigeria. Pacific J. Sci. Technol., 9(2): 562-577.
Oomkens, E., 1974. Lithofacies relations in late Quaternary Niger delta complex: Sedimentology, 21: 195-222.
Sharma, P. V. (1997). Environmental and Engineering Geophysics. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. U.K. 474pp.
Short, K. C., and A. J. Stauble, 1967, Outline of Geology of Niger delta: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin 51: 761-779.
Tuttle, M. L. W., R. R. Charpentier and M. E. Brownfield, 1999, The Niger delta petroleum system: Niger delta province, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea, Africa: USGS Open-file report 99-50-H.
Weber, K.J. and Daukoru, E.M. 1975, Petroleum geology of the Niger delta: Proceedings of the 9th World Petroleum Congress, Tokyo, 2: 202-221.
Weber, K.J., 1986, Hydrocarbon distribution patterns in Nigerian growth fault structures controlled by structural style and stratigraphy: AAPG Bulletin, 70: 661-662.
Whiteman, A. J., 1982, Nigeria, its petroleum, geology, resources and potential. v. I and II, Edinburgh, Graham and Trotman.
Zonge, K.; J. Wynn and S. Urquhart (2005). Resistivity, induced polarization and complex resistivity. In: Near Surface Geophysics. Butler, D. K (ed.). Society of Exploration Geophysics, pp 265-300.